What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Asexual reproduction generates offspring that are genetically identical to a single parent. In sexual reproduction, two parents contribute genetic information to produce unique offspring.

anonymous · Answer

That gives a simple definition of the reproductive modes, but does nothing to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

@rbuynar Think about things along the lines of requirements for each.  Eg, sexual reproduction requires a compatible mate, but what if the population is so spread out individuals of a sexually reproducing species never meet each other?